Mama-D's Italian Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast, sugar, warm water and olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is activated.
2. Add the flour, salt, egg and milk to the bowl and stir until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, adding more flour if needed, until the dough is soft and elastic.
3. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it for a few minutes. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and shape into loaves. Place the loaves on a greased baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the loaves with the egg and milk mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Let the loaves cool before slicing and serving.

Interesting Facts

• Mama-D's Italian Bread has been a family favorite for generations.
• The sesame seeds give the bread a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
• The egg and milk mixture helps give the bread an extra crispy crust.